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Logan • Next up, Duke.

Utah State tuned up for its anticipated match-up against one of the most storied programs in college basketball by cruising to an 81-55 victory over Utah Valley on Tuesday night at the Spectrum.

The Aggies visit Duke on Sunday.

Chris Smith scored 17 points and Lew Evans contributed 15 points and 14 rebounds as USU improved to 4-0 with the win over Utah Valley. Konner Frey, a transfer from Utah State, led the Wolverines with 14 points.

"Credit to our guys," said Aggie coach Tim Duryea. "I thought we did a good job sharing the ball and trying to make the right play."

Utah State shot 54.5 percent from the field and led most of the way against Utah Valley, which fell to 2-3 under first-year coach Mark Pope.

Jalen Moore added 11 points for the Aggies, who improved to 39-11 in its last 50 games against in-state opponents

"I'd have to say our play was pretty solid," Moore said. "… Everybody who came into the game played hard and contributed to the win."

Evans gave Utah State a lift, especially with his ability to match-up against Utah Valley's small lineup, which was effective early in the game.

"I played well," Evans said. "I didn't know I had a double-double. Coach gets on us every day, 'You have to crash the boards, crash the boards.' … So it was a good night."

Utah Valley, which is 0-11 in its all-time series with Utah State, got off to a quick start. The Wolverines converted five of their first eight possessions and grabbed a 10-6 lead, forcing Duryea to call time.

"He just told us, 'You have to be ready to play,'" Moore said. "… They were playing a little harder than we were."

Out of the timeout the Aggies responded with increased vigor on defense. They went on a 12-1 run over the next four minutes and, after Grayson Moore buried a three-pointer, built an 18-11 lead.

It was 36-22 with 4:09 left in the half when Utah Valley's Jaden Jackson scored eight points in a three-possession stretch to keep the Wolverines in the game.

At halftime, Utah State owned a 44-31 lead.

All nine Aggies who got into the game scored, led by Evans and Smith. Evans, a transfer from Tulsa, had nine points and 10 rebounds. Smith finished with nine points — all the opening 5:22.

Utah Valley could have been closer, except it shot 4-for-13 from the free-throw line. It didn't really matter, however, because the Aggies controlled the second half and cruised to another victory.

"We played really well tonight," Evans said. "… We got a win over an in-state team that we know really well, so yeah."

Before the game, Duryea praised Fry, a junior from Viewmont High in Bountiful who played four games for the Aggies last season.

"Konner is a kid who's an extremely hard worker," Duryea said. "We enjoyed having him in our program. He did a good job for us. There was just a lot of traffic at his position — either one of the positions he plays. …

"He's playing a spacing four-man for them and provides an element that is really good for them. He can really shoot the ball and he can also get to the basket. He's doing both those things well. I'm really happy for him."

Twitter: @sluhm

Utah State 81, Utah Valley 55

UVU (2-3) • Davis 4-7 0-2 8, Jackson 3-15 0-0 8, Hamilton 3-7 0-0 6, Frey 5-14 3-6 14, Carr 0-2 0-0 0, Schenck 0-0 1-2 1, Cardwell 2-7 0-0 6, Ott 0-0 2-3 2, Goodman 2-4 6-8 10. Totals 19-56 12-21 55.

Utah State (4-0) • Perkins 1-2 2-2 4, Pearre 1-4 4-4 7, J. Moore 5-11 1-2 11, Smith 7-10 1-2 17, Jones 1-2 1-2 3, Cureton 2-2 0-0 5, Rector 2-7 3-3 7, Evans 6-11 2-2 15, Bolton III 0-0 0-0 0, Taylor 3-3 1-2 7, G. Moore 2-3 0-0 5. Totals 30-55 15-19 81.

Halftime—Utah St. 44-31. 3-Point Goals—Utah Valley St. 5-20 (Cardwell 2-5, Jackson 2-8, Frey 1-5, Carr 0-2), Utah St. 6-15 (Smith 2-4, G. Moore 1-1, Cureton 1-1, Pearre 1-2, Evans 1-3, Rector 0-1, Perkins 0-1, J. Moore 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Utah Valley St. 25 (Davis 6), Utah St. 46 (Evans 14). Assists—Utah Valley St. 12 (Davis 4), Utah St. 19 (Rector 5). Total Fouls—Utah Valley St. 19, Utah St. 20. —

Utah State at Duke

P Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

TV • ESPNU